Final destination: state playoffs

One of Hernando County's finest all-round athletes this century is prepping for his senior year.

Alvin Delaine III, otherwise known as Chubs, is a local fan favorite.

Delaine, who has lettered in football, basketball and track and field, starred at Parrott Middle School before matriculating to nearby Hernando High.

Friday night begins his final prep season on the gridiron. To date he's been a menace to opposition defenders and a cause for concern for defensive coordinators. That's why he was the consensus Hernando County Player of the Year in 2009

The multi-faceted Delaine is the complete package between the lines. He can rush the football (372 attempts, 2,567 yards, 39 touchdowns), he can catch the ball (29 reps., 457 yds., 5 TDs), can block behind his sturdy 5-foot-8, 185-pound frame, and can score (37 career touchdowns, 4-of- 5 two-point conversions) as attested by his 230 career points.

Just as important, Delaine can dial long distance. He has a 74-yard touchdown run and a 79-yard pass reception for a touchdown to his credit.

When pressed into action, he can easily return punts or kickoffs. He was Hernando Today's Special Team Player of the Year in 2008.

Of course there's that multiplicity angle. In three seasons he's collected 50 tackles as a safety. He's also corralled four interceptions and returned two for scores. Just ask Lecanto.

What Delaine possesses that most players do not is an uncanny ability to see the entire field. His tremendous vision allows him to take a play designed originally to go around right end and suddenly stop, cut on a dime and cut it back to the left.

Delaine plays football as if he was in an arcade and the field was a video game. He's always looking for obstacles and defenders and finding a way through or around them.

That was until last Friday's exhibition game against always-tough Pasco High. Delaine was the focus of the ferocious Pirate defense. It held him 18 yards on 10 carries.

"Pasco's got a good defense. They didn't allow any cut backs," said the 18-year-old Delaine. "They filled each of the running lanes. I took what they gave me."

Was Friday's game just a sampling of what's ahead? Are area defenses stacking up to stop Delaine in his tracks?

"If teams load up on me, we got other backs that can break runs," shrugged Delaine. "I'll bounce back. It doesn't matter what happened last week, I'm looking forward to this week."

0-for-Springstead

Delaine played safety on the defensive unit that held Pasco's vaunted running game to minus-13 yards while recording five sacks against junior signal caller Jacob Guy.

Fans refer to the Purple Haze scheme as a championship-caliber defense.

"The intensity was there Friday," noted Delaine. "Every time we step on the field (on defense) we want a shutout. We had a couple mental errors that led to both touchdowns. I can't tell you exactly what happened (on both scores), but after watching the film they were correctable mistakes."

The focus this week is on the Springstead Eagles. The Spring Hill team has solved HHS seven straight times.

This was the same school the Leopards owned the first 16 times they crossed paths.

"What happened in the classic game last week is over," said Delaine. "I'm expecting Springstead to bring everything on Friday. They better; we've never beaten them since I've been here.

"Last year was the closest, losing in overtime," added Delaine. "We're playing it like it's the state championship."

0-for-the playoffs

Another obstacle is Hernando's four-year playoff drought (or since 1995's 61-10 loss at Citra-North Marion). It's been 13 years since HHS has hosted a playoff tilt. As far as Delaine is concerned, that's priority one.

"The most important thing is getting a 'W' at the end of the night," smiled Chubs, who is known for his infectious grin. "Getting stats is nice, but winning games is what this is all about. If we win games, the numbers will come.

"I'd like to beat Coach (Dwayne) Mobley's school record for touchdowns and yardage," said Delaine. "He taught me how to run the ball."

And the elusive playoff berth?

"If we stick together, play hard and have no major injuries, we've got a chance (to reach the playoffs)," Delaine said.

By the Numbers: HHS' Alvin Delaine III
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

RUSHING
YEAR ATT YDS AVG. TD LG
2007 062 268 4.33 02 33
2008 128 653 5.10 03 61*
2009 182 1,646 9.04 24 74*
TOTALS 372 2,567 6.90 39 74*
* Denotes touchdown

RECEIVING
YEAR REP YDS YPC TD LG
2007 07 129 18.4 01 31*
2008 07 060 8.57 00 25
2009 15 268 17.9 04 79*
TOTALS 29 457 15.8 05 79*
* Denotes touchdown

SCORING
YEAR TD PAT 2-PT. FG SF TP
2007 04 0 0 0 0 24
2008 05 0 0 0 0 30
2009 28 0 4/5 0 0 176
TOTALS 37 0 4/5 0 0 230